Sergio Mattarella, the day of the oath

From the Quirinale to the Quirinale. This Thursday Sergio Mattarella officially returns president of the Republic. At 15.30 in the Chamber of the Chamber he swears his allegiance to the Republic, exactly on the day he did it 7 years ago. The presidency of the Republic never remained on holidays even though in these days, like six previous six months, the head of state could not exercise the power to dissolve the chambers. Here’s what happens in the afternoon.

According to the procedure, the elected President of the Republic waits for the Secretary General of the Chamber at his home. Sergio Mattarella is already at the Quirinale and from here he starts again with the presidential car, the Lancia Flaminia 335. The destination is the Chamber, where the Parliament meets in common session, therefore deputies, senators and representatives of the regions. Everyone may be present, but everyone will need a negative swab even if vaccinated. The hall will be decorated with 21 tricolor flags and red and gold drapes.

At the entrance to Montecitorio there are the presidents of the Chamber and Senate, Roberto Fico and Elisabetta Casellati waiting for the president. In the atrium military honors are given to him by the carabinieri in full uniform. In the Hall Sergio Mattarella will rise to the announcement of the presidency to take the oath, according to article 91 of the Constitution: “I swear to be faithful to the Republic and to loyally observe its Constitution”.

He will do so standing between the two presidents of the chambers. At the time of oath 21 blanks are fired from the Gianicolo cannon and the Montecitorio bell rings. The president’s speech, due to Covid, cannot last more than 50 minutes. The expected theme is that of the duty of participation with a look at the past.

At the end of the speech, the presidents of the Chamber and Senate accompany the head of state to the Montecitorio gallery where he meets the Prime Minister, in this case Mario Draghi. The next stop is in Piazza Venezia, at the altar of the Fatherland, where there is the chief of staff of the Defense and the mayor of Rome, to lay a crown in memory of the unknown soldier. Finally, we arrive at the Quirinale where the president receives military honors in the courtyard of honor. The last appointment is in the Corazzieri hall where the head of state receives the ministersthe governors of the regions and the premier.